Peach tree named ‘Burpeachthirtyone’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachthirtyone’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, free stone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Botanical designation: The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of peach tree, ‘Prunus persica’.

Varietal denomination: ‘Burpeachthirtyone’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and juglans species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ was originated by us, and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards which is located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from a cross using the ‘Burpeacheighteen’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,496) which as the seed parent, and an unnamed white-fleshed freestone peach was used as the pollen parent. After a period of stratification, the seed was placed in a greenhouse, by population, and then field planted for tree establishment, and ultimately to exhibit fruit for evaluation. One white fleshed peach seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was then designated as ‘P7.102’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2006 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree onto ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these asexually reproduced plants have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through these succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachthirtyone’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is considered of medium large size, and has a moderately vigorous growth characteristic. This new tree is also considered a regular, and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, white-fleshed, freestone fruit which have a very good flavor, and eating qualities. This new peach tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 600 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree's canopy. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit of the new peach also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ peach tree further bears fruit which are typically ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

In relative comparison to the seed parent, which was Burpeacheighteen’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,496), the new variety of peach tree is similar in that it bears fruit that ripens at approximately the same time, but is different in that the fruit of new variety is white-fleshed whereas the fruit of the seed parent is yellow fleshed. In relative comparison to the pollen parent, the current variety ripens approximately 4 weeks later. The current variety, when compared to the peach tree ‘Snow Fall’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,568), which is the closest variety known by the inventors at this time, ripens 5 days or more earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit showing the top and bottom characteristics thereof, and one mature fruit which is bisected transversely, and below the equatorial plane, and which reveals the flesh color, and stone characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit, as shown in the photograph, as provided, is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves, and a typical stone with the flesh removed. The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may, or may not, be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society, Fourth Edition, 2001) and the descriptions as provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 USC §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will, in the future, display all the botanical, pomological, or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or in part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the seventh fruiting season, and under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards of the assignee which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition, 2001), and which is provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

TREE

-   Size: The new variety is generally considered medium to medium-large     in its growth pattern as compared to other common commercial peach     cultivars ripening in the late season of maturity. The tree of the     present variety was pruned to a height of approximately 275.0 cm to     about 300.0 cm at commercial maturity. -   Width: Approximately 280.0 cm. -   Vigor: Considered moderately vigorous. The present peach tree     variety grew from about 165.0 cm, to about 170.0 cm in height,     during the first growing season. The new variety was pruned to a     height of approximately 150.0 cm during the first dormant season,     and primary scaffolds were then selected for the desired tree     structure. -   Productivity: Productive. Fruit set varies from more than the     desired crop load, to levels higher than desired levels, when the     new variety is grown in a suitable horticultural zone, and under     appropriate commercial conditions. The fruit set is spaced by     thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired     market-sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the     prevailing climatic conditions, and the cultural practices employed. -   Fruit bearing: Regular. Fruit set has been more than adequate during     the previous years of observation, and thinning was necessary during     the past 5 years on both the original seedling and on subsequent     asexually reproduced trees. -   Form: Upright, and pruned into a vase shape. -   Density: Considered moderately dense. It has been discovered that     pruning the branches from the center of the tree to obtain a     resulting vase shape allows for enhanced air movement, and     appropriate amounts of sunlight to improve the fruit color, and the     renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA     Hardiness Zone 9. The calculated winter chilling requirements of the     new tree is approximately 600 hours at a temperature below 7.0     degrees C. The present variety appears to be hardy under typical     central San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 14.5 cm in diameter when measured at a     distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level. This     measurement was taken at the end of the 6th growing season. -   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of     papery scarfskin being present. Since bark development, and     coloration changes occur with advancing tree age, this     characteristic may vary with the tree vigor, age and regional     conditions. Therefore, this is not a dependable descriptor of the     new variety. -   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The lenticels     range in size from approximately 4.0 millimeters, to about 5.0 mm in     width, and between about 1.0 millimeters and about 2.0 millimeters     in height. The development and size of the trunk lenticels can be     influenced, to some degree, by the ambient growing conditions, and     are not, necessarily, a dependable characteristic of this variety.     As trees of this variety mature, lenticels are present, but they are     generally covered by increasing layers of cork (mature bark) and     therefore become less apparent. -   Lenticel color: Considered a medium orange brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange     Group 164 B). -   Bark coloration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a     greyed brown, (RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 A). This bark description     was taken from trees in their seventh leaf which have ruptured the     scarf skin, and which also have developed bark furrowing which is     much more typical of the bark of older trees. It should be noted     that the coloration of the bark is influenced, and varies, as the     smoother, darker background color approaches other bark features     such as the lenticels, and the initial fissures which form a feature     of the scarf skin development.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The branches     of the present variety have a diameter of about 8.0 centimeters when     measured during the fourth year after grafting. -   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is     several years old. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, and are     usually growing at an angle of about 48 to about 59 degrees when     measured from a horizontal plane. This characteristic can be     influenced, to some degree, by tree vigor, rootstock and other     cultural conditions. -   Current season shoots: Surface texture—Glabrous. -   Internode length: Approximately 2.1 cm. -   Color of mature branches: Grey brown, (RHS Brown Group N200 B). -   Current seasons shoots: Color.—Medium-light green, (RHS Yellow-Green     Group N144 C). The color of new shoot tips is considered a bright     and shiny green (RHS Yellow-Green Group 144 B). The vegetative shoot     color can be significantly influenced by plant nutrition, irrigation     practices, and exposure to sunlight, and therefore should not be     considered a consistent botanical characteristic of this new     variety.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium large for the species. Leaves are typically     elongated, especially in relation to leaf width. The recited leaf     measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season     growth, at approximately mid-shoot. It should be understood that the     leaf size is often influenced by prevailing growing conditions,     quality of sunlight, and the location of the leaf within the tree     canopy. For this reason, leaf sizes can vary significantly based     upon the ambient and cultural factors listed above, and are not     typically considered a dependable botanical descriptor. -   Leaf length: Approximately 160.0 to about 180.0 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 37.0 to about 43.0 millimeters. -   Leaf base-shape: The leaves generally exhibit equal marginal     symmetry relative to the leaf longitudinal axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate. -   Leaf color: Upper Leaf Surface—Dark green, (approximately RHS Green     Group 137 B). -   Leaf texture: Glabrous. -   Leaf color: Lower Leaf Surface—Light to medium green, (approximately     RHS Green Group 139 C). -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein: Color—Considered a light yellow-green, (approximately RHS     Yellow-Green Group N144 C) in the early to mid-period of the growing     season. -   Leaf margins: Gently undulating.     -   -   Form.—Considered crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform. -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Form.—Considered canaliculated, and having a more pronounced             trough when viewed from the dorsal aspect. The petiole             margin is considered rounded when viewed from the ventral             aspect.         -   Size.—Considered medium small for the species.         -   Length.—About 7.0 mm. to about 11.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 mm. to about 2.5 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green             Group N144 D). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small for the species; approximately 1.0 mm             in length; and about 1.0 mm in height.         -   Number.—Generally one to two glands per marginal side are             found. Observations of more than two glands per marginal             side are more uncommon.         -   Type.—Glands located at the base of the leaf are             predominantly reniform in shape.         -   Color.—Considered a light brown, approximately (RHS             Grey-Brown Group 199 C). Typically the coloration of the             glands darkens, and occasionally begins to desiccate during,             and after, the mid-late growing season. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Size.—Medium large for this variety.         -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot tip.         -   Form.—Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated marginal             edge.         -   Color.—Green, (approximately RHS Green Group 141 A) when             young, but graduating to a brown color, (approximately RHS             Grey-Brown Group 199 A) with advancing senescence. The leaf             stipules are generally considered to be early deciduous.

FLOWER BUDS

-   Hardiness: Generally speaking no winter injury (bud death) has been     noted during the last several years of observation in the central     San Joaquin Valley. The new variety of peach tree has not been     intentionally subjected to drought, cold or heat stress, and     therefore this information is not available. -   Length: Approximately 12.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 9.0 millimeters. -   Flower bud surface texture: Pubescent. -   Bud orientation: Considered appressed, less so as blossoms near     their opening. -   Flower bud: Size—Highly dependent on maturity. Flower buds are here     described approximately 7 days prior to bloom. -   Bud scale color: Approximately (RHS Greyed-Purple 187 A).

FLOWERS

-   Date of first bloom: Observed on Feb. 25, 2012. -   Blooming time: Considered medium in relative comparison to other     commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San Joaquin Valley.     The date of full bloom was observed on Mar. 4, 2012. The date of     full bloom varies slightly with the climatic conditions, and the     prevailing cultural practices. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 7 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower class: Considered a perfect flower, complete and perigynous. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium. The flower diameter at full bloom,     is approximately 29.0 mm. to 32.0 mm. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant. -   Flower bud frequency: Normally two flower buds appear per node,     occasionally one flower bud per node is observed. -   Petal size: Generally considered medium for the species.     -   -   Petal length.—Approximately 15.0 mm. to 22.0 mm.         -   Petal width.—Approximately 13.0 mm. to 19.0 mm. -   Petal form: Considered broadly ovate. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Glabrous. -   Petal color: Considered a light pink at the popcorn stage, (RHS     Red-Purple Group 62 D); and darkening with advanced senescence, and     the exposure of sunlight, to a medium pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 68     C). -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered truncate, and is generally             medium when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 mm.-15.0 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 10.0 mm. to 12.0 mm. -   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to     slightly undulate and moderately ruffled. -   Petal apex: Generally the petal margin is entire at the tip. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long with an approximate length of             about 1 mm. to about 1.5 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 mm.         -   Color.—A medium brown, approximately (RHS Grey-Brown Group             N199 D).         -   Surface.—Glabrous. -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—Considered a medium, light orange (approximately RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 163 C). -   Calyx:     -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.         -   Color.—A dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178             A). -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent             texture.         -   Number.—5 sepals.         -   Size.—Average, and narrowly ovate in form.         -   Sepal length.—Approximately 4.0 mm. to 6.0 mm.         -   Sepal width.—Approximately 4.0 mm. to 6.0 mm.         -   Sepal shape.—Generally obovate.         -   Margin.—Considered smooth, and entire.         -   Color.—A dull magenta, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple             Group 183 B). -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Color.—Red to reddish-orange when viewed dorsally, and prior             to dehiscence, (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 172             A). -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color,     (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 20 A). -   Fertility: Self-fertile. -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Approximately 13.0 mm. to 16.0 mm. in length.         -   Color.—Considered white to a pinkish-white, (RHS Red Purple             Group 63 C). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually one, and only rarely more than one.         -   Generally.—Large in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 17.0 mm. to about 19.5 mm., in length,             including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group 145 A).         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long, pubescent pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Approximately Sep. 23, 2012. -   Date of last picking: Sep. 30, 2012. The fruit of this new variety     is very firm and the harvesting dates, which have been recited, can     be extended. The date of harvest can vary slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions, and the current cultural practices. -   Size: Generally—Considered large, and uniform. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 72.0 mm. to about 90.0 mm. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 67.0 mm. to about 85.0 mm. -   Typical weight: Approximately 228.0 grams. This characteristic is     quite dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and     therefore is not particularly distinctive of the new variety. -   Fruit form: Generally—Considered globose. The fruit is generally     uniform in symmetry. -   Fruit suture: Some slight stitching exists along the suture line. -   Suture: Color—Generally, the fruit is blushed to the same degree as     the skin, (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B). -   Ventral surface: Form—Quite even, and uniform in appearance when it     is viewed from the lateral sutural plane. -   Apex: Shape—Rounded to slightly retuse. -   Base: Shape—Generally smooth. -   Stem cavity: Generally—The stem cavity extends in a rounded,     elliptical form which is generally considered uniform. The stem     cavity is slightly extended toward the suture. The average depth of     the stem cavity is about 10.0 mm.-12.0 mm. The average width of the     stem cavity is about 25.0 mm. The average length of the stem cavity     when measured in the suturial plane is about 48.0 mm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to             the flesh.         -   Surface texture.—Short, fine and pubescent. The pubescence             is uniformly distributed throughout the skin surface.         -   Taste.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—Not observed in the previous years of             observation, and evaluation. -   Fruit skin color:     -   -   Blush color.—Generally speaking, a red blush exists on a             majority of the skin of the fruit (approximately RHS Red             Group 46 B), and is more typically present on the portions             of the fruit facing the sunlight. The blush of the fruit             typically covers approximately 65% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependent upon the             fruit's exposure to direct sunlight; specific fruit             maturity; and also the prevailing ecological and cultural             conditions under which the fruit is grown. -   Ground color: Yellow, (approximately RHS Yellow Group 14 D). The     ground color of the fruit can vary significantly based upon the     maturity of the fruit when this measurement is taken. -   Fruit stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 mm. to about 11.0             mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 mm. to about 3.0 mm.         -   Color.—Pale yellow-green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green             Group N144 C). -   Fruit flesh:     -   -   Ripening.—Considered even.         -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. Considered firm yet             non-melting.         -   Fibers.—Present, but not prominent.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.         -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet, and with moderate acidity.             The flavor is considered both pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice production.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—About 15.0 degrees to 19.0 degrees, or higher. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; the maturity of fruit when harvested; the prevailing             cultural practices; and the ambient climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—It is considered a yellowed white,             (approximately RHS Yellow Group 12 D), with color radiating             from the stone outward which is a red-orange (approximately             RHS Orange-Red 34 A).

STONE

-   Type: Considered free stone. -   Size: It is generally considered to be medium-small for the variety.     The stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,     the crop load and the prevailing growing and cultural conditions. -   Length: Average, about 30.0 mm. to about 33.0 mm. -   Width: Average, about 23.0 mm. to about 27.0 mm. -   Diameter: Average, about 20.0 mm. to about 22.0 mm. -   Apex: Shape—The stone exhibits a slight to prominently acute apex. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—Considered irregularly furrowed toward the             apex. Further, more pitting exists in the mid-portion of the             stone (laterally), and is more common toward the base.         -   Ridges.—Ridging is generally more prominent, and is usually             oriented parallel, and laterally relative at the ventral and             dorsal margins. -   Form: Roughly ovoid. -   Base: Shape—The stone is considered shortly attenuate.     -   -   Ventral edge.—The ventral edge is generally considered             troughed with two reasonably distinguished edges running             parallel to, and on both sides of, the stone's suture. These             distinct edges continue from the hilum to the apex.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Generally considered even. The folds of             the surface ridges appearing on the external margins often             end gently along the suture. -   Stone color: The color of a mature, dry stone is generally     considered a medium orange-brown, approximately (RHS Greyed-Orange     Group 165 B). -   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted. -   Kernel:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 17.0 mm.-20.0 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 mm.-14.0 mm.         -   Thickness.—5.0 mm.-6.0 mm.         -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium in size. Further the             kernel is gelatinous and immature when the fruit is fully             mature.         -   Form.—Considered generally ovoid.         -   Pellicle.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Color.—A dark tan (RHS Greyed-Orange Group N167 A). -   Use: The present variety ‘Burpeachthirtyone’ is considered to be a     peach tree of the late season of maturity, and which produces fruit     which are considered to be firm, attractively colored, and which are     useful for both local and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Appears excellent. The fruit of the present variety     has stored well for periods of up to 30 days after harvest at 1.0     degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Good. The fruit of the new peach tree variety     showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after being     subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety has not been intentionally tested to     expose or detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known     plant, fruit diseases, insect, frost, winter injury or other ambient     environmental factors.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude, and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, nutrition, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and changes in horticultural management are to be expected. 

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety of peach tree, what we claim is new, and desire to secure by plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A new distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored white-fleshed, free stone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 